If records indicate everything, then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are perfect through the first three weeks of the 2025 NFL season.
But one mishap, or amazing play from Will McDonald IV, in Sunday’s matchup with the New York Jets had head coach Todd Bowles providing an explicit reaction.
With 1:49 left in the game, the Jets’ defensive end single handily blocked a field goal attempt from Bucs’ kicker Chase McLaughlin and returned the ball 50 yards for a touchdown.
Bowles Speaks Honestly During Postgame
“My thoughts when he’s running for touchdown?” Bowles responded to a reporter postgame. “Excuse my language, like you gotta be f–king s–ting me.
“Then after that, you see how much time is on the clock, you calm down and you try to win the game,” he added.
McLaughlin would get redemption as the clock expired after Baker Mayfield led Tampa Bay down the field with big catches by Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard. Once inside the 20, McLaughlin kicked a game-winning chip-shot field goal to give the Bucs a 29-27 victory.
Bucs’ Mayfield Keeps Finding a Way to Win
The Buccaneers (3-0) survived a late Jets (0-3) rally, blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead before Mayfield engineered a game-winning drive in the final minutes for the third straight week. Mayfield went 19-of-29 for 233 yards and a touchdown.
McLaughlin hit field goals from 54, 33, 28, and 55 yards, while Mike Evans added a 5-yard touchdown catch before exiting with a hamstring injury. The defense delivered as well — Jamel Dean returned a Tyrod Taylor interception 55 yards for a score, and Antoine Winfield Jr. forced a fumble to go with four team sacks.
Tampa Bay is 3-0 for just the fifth time in its 50-year history, marking the milestone in style. The Bucs broke out their original white creamsicle uniforms for the home opener and welcomed back more than 100 former players — including Steve Spurrier and Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and Ronde Barber — at Raymond James Stadium.
New York Jets Had Motion on Offense
The Jets have now started 0-3 for the third time in six years and are still searching for their first win under rookie coach Aaron Glenn.
Taylor filled in for the injured Justin Fields, sidelined with a concussion, and led New York with touchdown passes of 11 yards to Garrett Wilson and 4 yards to Allen Lazard.
New York’s offense stalled after Nick Folk kicked 38- and 42-yard field goals on its first two drives. The Bucs responded with a field goal and Mayfield’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Evans, then forced two Taylor turnovers to seize control late in the first half.
Taylor finished 26-of-36 for 197 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while Wilson had 10 catches for 84 yards.
Next week: The Jets travel to Florida to face the also winless Miami Dolphins on Monday night, while the Buccaneers host defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.